Employee Relations Consultant
12‑month FTC | £55,000–£60,000
Location: Edinburgh or Glasgow (hybrid)
We’re working with a large UK Utilities company to recruit an Employee Relations Partner on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract. This role is suited to an experienced ER professional who specialises in relationship‑based employee relations within a unionised environment, rather than high‑volume case management.
This is a strategic, advisory role focused on building effective working relationships between the organisation and its recognised trade unions, and on strengthening how the business approaches employee relations more broadly.
The Role
You’ll play a key role in shaping and maintaining constructive relationships with trade unions and internal stakeholders. Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing and supporting ongoing relationships with recognised trade unions
- Working with unions on existing arrangements, including:
- Collective agreements
- Facilities and partnership arrangements
- Facilitating and supporting joint meetings, forums, and partnership discussions
- Drafting and refreshing terms of reference, tools, templates, and guidance to support effective joint working
- Advising on best practice approaches to employee and industrial relations
- Upskilling managers and the wider business on working effectively with unions and handling ER matters in a consistent, collaborative way
- Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on ER/IR strategy and engagement
What We’re Looking For
We’re keen to speak with candidates who can demonstrate:
- Strong Employee Relations experience in a unionised environment
- Proven experience of relationship management with trade unions
- Exposure to collective agreements, partnership working, and consultation frameworks
- Confidence in facilitating meetings and influencing a wide range of stakeholders
- Experience creating or improving ER frameworks, templates, or governance arrangements
- A pragmatic, collaborative approach focused on long‑term relationship building